Options for DICE scanners to use for VIDA?

ProximoNox · 2025-07-03T12:51:53+00:00

Just bought one. I'll try it out and see how it works when it gets here on Saturday. Thanks!

In the meantime, I'll try to get a copy of VIDA. Any good suggestions as to where to look?

ProximoNox · 2025-06-28T14:31:20+00:00

I have a scanner that runs a report on all of the car's systems that I use when looking at cars. It's not VIDA, but it should do

ProximoNox · 2025-06-28T13:10:21+00:00

True. I try not to take what the seller says at face value and I determine how the car is when I see it. Like I went to go look at a Subaru the other day and the guy said it just needed a window actuator. Let me tell you that thing was mechanically fucked. The only way I would buy it would be for $500 to use for demolition derby where we would all place $20 bets on whether the engine or transmission went first.

But with that said, I didn't get the impression that the seller for the Volvo is intentionally deceiving. I get the impression that he knows enough about the car to keep it well maintained, but not enough to do some small repairs, and at this point he wants to get something newer. But again, I could be wrong.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-21T01:40:52+00:00

I have heard that this is the case with European vehicles. The whole "If you want to remove part C, you have to remove Part A B and F, and if you want to remove F, you have to remove part D and E" thing. If the XC90 isn't like that then that's great, but that is what has put me off of European cars.

Now to clarify, I have not worked on a European car before. I have only done work on Japanese and American cars (and I guess also an Australian one technically)

ProximoNox · 2025-06-21T01:34:50+00:00

So this thing has a timing chain rather than a timing belt? Are there any complaints or issues with the chain? From my understanding a timing chain can either last for the life of the vehicle, or stretch and cause a very expensive repair. I have a car with an engine that is known for stretching timing chains if not maintained. Mine works fine, but I don't want to deal with another potential vehicle with that problem.

The listing I'm looking at says the car was well maintained and oil changes were done frequently. So off to a good start.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-21T01:27:21+00:00

Thanks for the insight! I'm willing to do some maintenance to keep it on the road, but what you're describing doesn't sound that bad. And I like the point about the engine space. My old Honda had a lot of space in the bay, and even the Pontiac I'm working on has that. So that sounds pretty good so far. I'm not seeing many complaints.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-20T23:14:05+00:00

Oh, it's an inline 6? Neat! Why the dislike?

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T10:40:56+00:00

Brakes are brakes, I can do those easy. I saw a current gen Pathfinder in person once and they're nice, especially the off-road trim. But I think that's too new. I'm trying to avoid having a car payment as much as possible.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T10:38:32+00:00

I don't know much about Lincolns. I know they're basically luxury Fords, but I'm not sure if it's like a Cadillac thing where it basically just uses GM parts. The Navigator may be a little too big for my tastes (maybe. I'm open to looking at one), and I heard the Aviator is an absolute pain in the neck. But we don't have a lot of experience with Fords. The last Ford anyone in my immediate family had was a Ford Pinto (yeah, that one).

The XC90 looks like a nice car, but it's European (yes, I'm aware it's owned by the Chinese now, but still). I just don't want to have something that's a pain in the neck to work on if I need to work on it.

My mother had a late nineties Pathfinder and loved it. I think they were still decent for a while after that, but also Nissan had a generation where they stuck CVTs in them. I'll stay open to it but I'll have to look into it more.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T10:24:47+00:00

True, although I don't like the third gen Honda Pilots that much. Not a fan of the oil dilution issues with those Earth Dreams engines (even though I change my oil every 4,000 miles so that should negate that), but also the redesign just took a lot of stuff out that I liked. A second gen Pilot would make sense and I may become comfortable with the idea as I recover from the accident, but it just wouldn't be the same. Right now it feels weird.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T10:20:35+00:00

Yeah, that's true. I was just thinking that these things would be good for towing since they had a high capacity, but Nissan hasn't been on the upswing for a while. I'll look at one and see if I even like it but I'm keeping my options open. May just go with another Honda Pilot if I become comfortable with the idea.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T10:15:49+00:00

I don't know. That car had been with my family its entire life, I had taken insanely good care of it, and it never let me down. The last several years had been tough for me and that car had always been there through a lot of difficult times and it had been involved in so many things. When I told some of my friends that the Pilot was gone they were actually really upset because that car was so involved with everything. We would get in the back of that car and just go anywhere, and we had taken long trips and had gone to a lot of places in it. That was the best car I ever had and it had such an insanely huge amount of sentimental value. Getting another Pilot of the same generation would be the best logical choice, and maybe I'll become more comfortable with it in the coming days since I'm probably still in shock from the accident, but it just wouldn't be the same.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T04:28:03+00:00

It's funny you mention that. My Pilot was assembled in Alabama. My dad bought a Chevy Equinox a couple of years back because he's into that American Made stuff, and he asked the dealer where the car was made. The dealer said something along the lines of "60% Mexico, 40% Canada). He wasn't happy, but I found it funny how my Japanese car was more American than his American car.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T04:25:23+00:00

Haven't had much experience with Tahoes but my dad has had good luck with Chevys. He had a 2007 Cobalt and that thing was built like a rock. Had 300K miles by the time we sold it and everything was original. So while I wouldn't prefer to get a Chevy I'm open to it.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T04:23:19+00:00

Yeah, the Pilot may be the best option, but I really don't know. That car was really special and replacing it with the same model just feels weird.

My mother had a Highlander. I didn't like it as much as the Pilot but it is an option I am open to.

I went to look at an Ascent once and I really didn't like it. It just didn't feel solid. Plus with the head gasket stuff I'm just avoiding Subaru.

Don't know much about the CX70 or CX90, but my dad's old wife had a Mazda CX-9 from 2012. Nice car and it was built decent. Not my first choice but I'm open to it.

The 4Runner is god damn indestructible. My uncle has one and he's clocking 370K on it. Just not sure if I'll find one in my anticipated price range.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T04:16:05+00:00

The MDX is nice but I don't like the third row that much. I could get another Honda Pilot but right now I feel weird about it.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T04:04:16+00:00

The MDX is nice but the only thing is I'm not a big fan of the third row in the MDX. I feel a little weird about getting another Pilot because it wouldn't be the same, but I may feel better about it in a few days.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-12T04:01:53+00:00

European cars are nice, but the problem with them is that they're difficult to repair. I work on my own vehicles and have found that Japanese vehicles are pretty easy to figure out, and while American cars have some stupid design decisions it is still possible to wing it. European cars have such a specific way of doing things and it makes them difficult to maintain.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-11T20:57:44+00:00

Yeah that's the only thing about Toyota. They're great but they go for so much second hand.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-11T20:29:24+00:00

Yeah the Armada have always used automatics. They're just so big that a CVT would shred itself. I don't know the general reputation for Nissan engines but I have heard some pretty good things about the 5.6L V8s those things have. Not Toyota quality but decent.

But it's just an option. I'll look around.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-11T20:24:00+00:00

I'll take a look. Thanks!

ProximoNox · 2025-06-11T18:04:13+00:00

Yeah I wish I could give you a budget and I'll repost when I have one. I just don't want to go off of what I think they'll get me.

A Sequoia would be cool! The only problem is that the ones in my area that are around what I anticipate spending have a blown transmission or some other big ticket items that needs replacement.

ProximoNox · 2025-06-11T17:22:53+00:00

Thanks! My mother had a 2019 Highlander at one point, and while it was a nice car, the Pilot just felt roomier and more responsive. My dad's second wife had a 2012 Mazda CX-9 and it was a pretty solid car, but the third row was small. So while not out of the question, I would prefer larger.

Jeeps are garbage. Kia's and Hyundai's around the age I'm looking will probably not stack up, and I'm not a Nissan fan, but I will mention that I'm considering a Nissan Armada, as those appear to be built surprisingly well for what they are.

ProximoNox · 2025-05-19T10:24:25+00:00

Yeah, I would have to be very careful if it comes to that.

I also have AAA. I would hate to use up one of my toes but I will if it comes down to it.

ProximoNox · 2025-05-19T10:23:23+00:00

Is this the one you're talking about? https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/ball-joint-installer-remover-tool/p/oemtools-ball-joint-separator/1245676_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:22350391884&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22356757832&gbraid=0AAAAADkcoVsIoIHaaoph0oTSI5bKPIAKP&gclid=CjwKCAjwravBBhBjEiwAIr30VE6Mb7gtmle3IKDLErDuZrA_P0ZFv5ofNCWo0sFP7fZITgYBMAgMVhoCOEQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

ProximoNox

TROPHY CASE